Berlin is undoubtedly a fair where to learn, share knowledge
and as every year, a vaulable opportunity to know how the market is, national
and internationaly.

One more edition and one more coffee break of Grow
International at Fedemco´s stand. Challenging the dreaded Coronavirus, the
representatives of France, Italy, Germany and Spain Grow International, a
quality seal for Wood Packaging from all over Europe, met to talk about the
sector; the new challenges and strategies at European level and the local casuistry
produced in each country.

Sustainability, recycling, ecofriendly and the demands of
the countries in these subjects were the focus of this meeting, in which the
new website of the European platform Grow-international was also launched. An
update website with more modern and Dynamic image that responds to the needs of
the Wood Packaging market.

Scientific studies confirm again the suitability of wood in contact with fruit, fish and cheese

Recent research carried out in France and Spain confirms once again the antibacterial properties of wood from black poplar and pine trees.

At the beginning of last November, The results of new scientific studies on wood and food safety were presented at European scale at the 66th FEFPEB conference held in Cork (Ireland) and the 29th conference of the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST) held in Athens (Greece).

The conclusions of vast research carried out by the French consortium “EMABOIS” were presented in Cork. The research, which was led by F. Aviat and M. Federighi, has given rise to various doctorate theses and scientific articles, and the conclusions reached are in line with the work on fish crates that was carried out in Spain by José Juan Rodríguez Jerez from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Barcelona, and was presented in Athens.

This EMABois project has counted on the participation of various French research authorities (such as Actalia, ESB, ESI Reims, FCBA, and ONIRIS), and has also validated specific methods and protocols of microbiological and chemical analysis on wood. The results of the project confirm the harmlessness and microbiological hygiene of wooden surfaces, especially in the study regarding contact with fresh produce such as fruit, vegetables, fish and dairy products.

Just like other research work that has been carried out over the past few years, this study confirms once again the strong antibacterial effect of wood in different cases due to physical inhibition (especially wood from black poplar, pine and fir trees), concluding that the porosity of wood is, in this sense, an advantage in comparison to “smooth” materials.

The conclusions are similar to those of Professor Rodríguez Jerez, who assessed microbiological behaviour after the first use for different containers used to pack fish at Spanish market. In fact, he affirms that due to the antibacterial properties of wood, it is the least contaminated material after being in contact with fish. Besides, wooden crates also preserve its quality and safety. of the fish.

The French Aviat and Federighi also conclude that the possible migration of the natural molecules of wood, especially volatile organic compounds, is harmless for the consumer. In fact, their research identifies substances that are considered harmless within the international legal framework and scientific literature, and which are even used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food and agriculture sectors as thickening agents, flavouring and natural colouring.

]]>A scientific journal in the USA publishes an important article on the hygienic properties of woodhttps://www.grow-international.eu/a-scientific-journal-in-the-usa-publishes-an-important-article-on-the-hygienic-properties-of-wood/
Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:41:48 +0000https://www.grow-international.eu/?p=584

It demonstrates that the porous nature of wood is not a limitation as far as hygiene is concerned, and that it even has the particular characteristic of containing antibacterial inhibitors of pathogens.

The prestigious scientific journal of the Institute of Food Technologists in Chicago (USA), “Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety” has published an article called: “Microbial Safety of Wood in Contact with Food: A Review” in its latest edition.

This study demonstrates that the porous nature of wood, especially when compared to smooth surfaces, is not a limitation as far as hygiene is concerned, and that its microbiological status could even be an advantage. In fact, its rough or porous surface often generates unfavourable conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms. Besides, wood has the particular characteristic of producing antibacterial components capable of inhibiting or limiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.

It is a critical review and summary of the scientific studies that have been carried out on wood and its contact with food, especially as far as microbiological behaviour is concerned.

It has been drawn up by a team of experts in France, Spain and Germany.

The article, which is based on a review of conclusions from scientific studies that have been carried out over the last 20 years, describes the general properties of wooden packaging and focuses on the microbiological status of natural wood.

The article goes on to discuss the parameters that influence the survival of microorganisms on wood. And it finally reports on the transfer of microorganisms between wood and food, in addition to the factors that influence this phenomenon.

This study demonstrates that the porous nature of wood, especially when compared to smooth surfaces, is not a limitation as far as hygiene is concerned, and that its microbiological status could even be an advantage. In fact, its rough or porous surface often generates unfavourable conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms. Besides, wood has the particular characteristic of producing antibacterial components capable of inhibiting or limiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.

According to its organizers, FRUITLOGISTICA 2017 achieves again a record of participation with more tan 3, 000 exhibitors from 86 countries and 70, 000 trade visitors from 130 countries.

The three member organization of GROW (FEDEMCO, SIEL and GROW e.V.) exhibited simultaneously for the first time at FRUIT LOGISTICA

All report excellent results in terms of domestic and international visits and promotion and are aiming to be back for 2018 edition..

Good quality of light wooden packaging manufactured in Spain, France and Germany has attracted profesional visitors from the five continents.

Wood is associated with natural and premium quality produce and it is specially appreciated as a sustainable selling unit and when long distance cool logistics demand that packaging performs well in wet conditions.

Within the approach with ASSOIMBALLAGGI, is remarkable the agreement that in 2017 the Italian sector of light packaging integrated in this national association will participate in the activities of GROW.

The meeting had the political participation of Eleuterio Donat, as a member of the Executive Committee of FEDEMCO, and Cosimo Messina, a leading manufacturer in the region of Sicily and political representative of the Italian association.